Lucky Dube Tribute Sept. 2008

LUCKY DUBE – RESPECT (Aug. 3, 1964 – Oct. 18, 2007)

A Tribute – Gone But Never Forgotten
Words and Photos by Lee Abel

Lucky Dube Tribute by Lee Abel

“Bob Marley said,
‘How long shall they kill our prophets
while we stand aside and look’
But little did he know
that eventually the enemy will stand aside and look
while we slash and kill our own brothers
knowing that already they are the victims of the situation”

“Victims” (1993)

Delivered by his grandmother on a farm near the small mining town of Ermelo on August 3, 1964, he was not given a name. He was not expected to live. But like every other challenge, save one, that was to follow in his 43 years, he refused to be a victim. The Apartheid system in South Africa provided little opportunity for proper health care, quality education, or employment. Its rigid laws cruelly dictated the movements of black families and individuals. Furthermore, his father had a liquor habit and abandoned the family before he was born. His mother Sarah left shortly after to seek domestic work in Johannesburg, hoping to send money back, rarely able to. He stayed behind in a mud hut, cared for by his beloved grandmother who nourished him, body and soul.

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Michael Rose & Jr. Reid in the UK

Junior Reid and Michael Rose: Veteran Vocalists Blend Genres and Eras

By Angus Taylor

August 29, 2008 – London, England – A sparsely attended Forum in Kentish Town witnessed two veterans who have fought to stay current in an ever-changing reggae market. Former Black Uhuru singers Michael Rose and Junior Reid faced a tough assignment in a one-third capacity crowd wearied by an afternoon at the sound systems of Notting Hill, but their steely professionalism and refusal to let nostalgia rule made this a select gathering to remember.
Despite being announced with little fanfare, Dawn Penn and the Righttrak Band dutifully warmed up the place; building to her smash hit “No No No.” Roots artist Iqula followed with a fiery set featuring an electric cello while clenching a red gold and green flag in his fist, exiting to the first hearty cheers.

Michael Rose and the Dubline Band took no chances making their entrance, starting with stripped down renditions of “Party Next Door,” “Sponji Reggae” and “I Love King Selassie,” furnished by tinkling piano and hard, reverberated snares. Continue reading

Sly & Robbie – Fueled by “God Power” 2008

SLY and ROBBIE: Reggae Disciples Standing up for Reggae

Words & Photos by M. Peggy Quattro

August 30, 2008 – Miami, Florida – With careers spanning more than 30 years and hundreds of thousands of recorded tracks, SLY and ROBBIE – aka the Riddim Twins – are still standing up for Reggae.  Equal partners in the studio or on the stage, these world-renown artists, performers, and producers represent Reggae to the fullest.  Fueled by, what Robbie calls “God power,” this ageless duo is having a seriously fun time doing it.

I caught up with Sly and Robbie, long-time friends and colleagues, after their rousing performance with Reggae Rock Dubsters Simply Stoopid, Internet sensations hailing from southern California, and Hawaii’s popular threesome, Pepper. Continue reading

Dancehall Dynamite CD Review

A Review of Dancehall Dynamite CD

Artist: Various Artists
Label: Relativity
Genre: Reggae/Dancehall
Styles: Ragga, Club/Dance

Critics’ Rating: ***
This compilation is a cross-section of the subtle textures within Jamaican Dancehall.  From electrifying hardcore Dancehall to sexy Lovers’ rhythms to Rastafarian Roots-conscious Reggae, Dancehall Dynamite features some of the music’s pioneers as well as rising talents on the scene. The emphasis is on a balanced diet of the modern Jamaican sound.

The raunchy, legendary DJ Cutty Ranks’ “DJ Riding West” is tempered by the virtues of Rasta DJ Sizzla on “Good Ways,” while the sultry bedroom anthem “Physical Attraction” by Richie Stephens and Crissy D is followed shortly thereafter by Merciless’ ode to motherhood, “Mama Cooking.”

Dancehall Dynamite contains equal dosages for purists and for club lovers: the hardcore sounds of Frisco Kid, Scare Dem Crew and veteran Yellowman are matched by the crossover appeal of mega-DJs Shaggy and Beenie Man, and the humorous “Big Man/Little Youth” by rising stars Red Rat and Goofy, appear along with the call for peace, “Put Down Your Weapon” by Yami Bolo and Capleton. The pulsating rhythms are provided by such masters as Sly Dunbar, Steelie and Clevie, Danny Browne, and Bobby Digital. The album is a danceable mélange of the various subgenres of Jamaican Dancehall. ~ by M.F. DiBella, All Music Guide

CREDITS :
M. Peggy Quattro – Executive Producer
Palmer Williams – Compilation Producer
Performers: Shaggy, Beenie Man, Frisco Kid, Yellowman, Yami Bolo, Capleton, Rayvon, Merciless, Scare Dem Crew, Red Rat & Goofy, Richie Stephens, Terror Fabulous, Sizzla, Cutty Ranks
Producers: Andrew Bradford, Jack Scorpio, Bobby Digital, Danny Browne, Robert Livingston
Bill Lacey – Mastering

Ky-mani at LA’s House of Blues

Ky-mani Marley and Joseph Israel: Stir Up the House of Blues on Sunset Strip

Review and Photos by Jan Salzman

Kymani’s first appearance at LA’s House of Blues

August 18, 2008 – Los Angeles, CA – Joseph Israel started the night’s live performances with an acoustic set, his mission he said, “To bring joy to the House of Blues.” One of my favorite Joseph Israel songs is “Jah Kingdom” from his CD Gone Are the Days. He truly did warm up the crowd with a positive vibe.

Ky-mani Marley then blasted onstage to “I’m Back.” In fact, he began with three songs straight from his latest CD Radio, including “The March,” and my favorite, the very sexy “Slow Roll.” Truly one of the hardest-working and fastest-moving performers, Ky-mani is consistently dashing all over the stage. Sometimes he brought out the microphone stand, getting all wound up, grabbing the mic, then putting the stand behind him again. Most of the time Ky-mani had the mic in his hand, bending towards the audience and gesturing to the crowd. I noted that he makes this curvy gesture when he sings about women. It is as if he is caressing the women in the audience, especially with the lure of his sleepy, sexy eyes. He was truly enjoying playing at the Los Angeles House of Blues for the first time. Continue reading

Reggae History…'80s & '90s…Read the Music!